social anxiety disorder
Fear of scrutiny
Social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition marked by intense fear of social situations where one might be judged, embarrassed, or scrutinized.
Unlike ordinary shyness, it causes significant distress and avoidance that interferes with daily life—work, school, or relationships.
Physical symptoms often accompany the anxiety: sweating, trembling, rapid heartbeat, or nausea.
Her social anxiety disorder made job interviews nearly unbearable.
State of anxious unease
- self-consciousnessUncomfortable awareness of oneself
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- blushingFacial reddening from embarrassment
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
sweating · nausea · racing heart · panic · dread · apprehension · worry · overthinking
Psychological treatment abbreviation
- exposure therapyAnxiety treatment through confrontation
- psychotherapyTreatment through guided conversation
- SSRIAntidepressant medication class abbreviation
- medicationTherapeutic substance for illness
psychiatrist · psychologist · group therapy · relaxation techniques · mindfulness · beta blockers · anxiolytic · desensitization
Addressing a live audience
- eye contactDirect visual connection
- small talkPolite trivial conversation
- partiesOrganized social gatherings
- datingPursuing romantic connections
job interviews · phone calls · confrontation · being watched · performance · authority figures · networking · presentations
Anxiety about others' assessments
- self-doubtUncertainty about oneself
- catastrophizingImagining worst-case outcomes
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- mind readingPerceiving others' thoughts directly
self-criticism · perfectionism · shame · insecurity · vulnerability · inferiority · self-monitoring · spotlight effect
Complete separation from others
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- seclusionVoluntary withdrawal from society
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- evasionAct of escaping detection
escape · canceling plans · reassurance seeking · hiding · making excuses · arriving late · leaving early · avoiding eye contact
State of lacking companions
- underachievementPerforming below one's capability
- unemploymentBeing without paid work
- substance useIntake of psychoactive materials
- depressionProlonged low state
nervousness
State of anxious unease
- self-consciousnessUncomfortable awareness of oneself
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- blushingFacial reddening from embarrassment
trembling · sweating · nausea · racing heart · panic · dread · apprehension · worry · overthinking · hypervigilance
CBT
Psychological treatment abbreviation
- exposure therapyAnxiety treatment through confrontation
- psychotherapyTreatment through guided conversation
- SSRIAntidepressant medication class abbreviation
medication · psychiatrist · psychologist · group therapy · relaxation techniques · mindfulness · beta blockers · anxiolytic · desensitization · role playing
public speaking
Addressing a live audience
- eye contactDirect visual connection
- small talkPolite trivial conversation
- partiesOrganized social gatherings
dating · job interviews · phone calls · confrontation · being watched · performance · authority figures · networking · presentations · introductions
fear of judgment
Anxiety about others' assessments
- self-doubtUncertainty about oneself
- catastrophizingImagining worst-case outcomes
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
mind reading · self-criticism · perfectionism · shame · insecurity · vulnerability · inferiority · self-monitoring · spotlight effect
isolation
Complete separation from others
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- seclusionVoluntary withdrawal from society
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
evasion · escape · canceling plans · reassurance seeking · hiding · making excuses · arriving late · leaving early · avoiding eye contact
loneliness
State of lacking companions
- underachievementPerforming below one's capability
- unemploymentBeing without paid work
- substance useIntake of psychoactive materials
social anxiety disorderextroversion
Outward-focused temperament
gregariousness · sociability · outgoingness · self-assurance · stage presence
social anxiety disorderexhibitionism
Urge to expose oneself
narcissistic personality disorder · attention-seeking · showmanship · self-promotion · shamelessness
social anxiety disorderantisocial personality disorder
Persistent exploitation and remorselessness
narcissistic personality disorder · disinhibition · mania · hypomania
social, anxiety, disorder, society, societal, socialize, socialization, sociable, sociability